It was another big night for Alberni Valley’s MacMillan brothers, as both Mitch and Mark tallied four points apiece to lead the Bulldogs to a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory on the road in Westside.
Westside built up a comfortable lead after 20 minutes, as Trevor Bailey opened the scoring eight minutes in before Brendan Ellis netted another precisely eight minutes later to put the home team ahead by two. But Mitch MacMillan took control in the middle frame, scoring two goals 2:42 apart on the man advantage to even the score.
MacMillan completed the hat trick midway through the third, replying minutes after Tyler Krause had put the Warriors ahead once again. Kevin Ross and Krause then exchanged goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, setting up Frank Riddle's winner at the 2:17 mark of double overtime.
Frank Slubowski picked up the win in net for the Bulldogs with a 39-save effort, while Kevin Jebson saw 41 shots in a hard-luck loss.
Elsewhere in the Interior Conference:
- Steve Oursov’s second period goal stood up as the winner for the Trail Smoke Eaters, who beat Salmon Arm by a 3-2 score on home ice. The Silverbacks had opened the scoring on a David Killip goal , but a trio of Smokies markers from Michael Betz, Paul Mailey and Oursov turned the tide. Greg Noyes led all skaters with two points in a losing cause.
- Three unanswered goals, including a pair by first star Joshua Desmarais, willed the Quesnel Millionaires to a 3-2 road victory in Williams Lake. Jason Diehl and Calvin Johnson had put the Timberwolves ahead early, but the Mills replied with three power-play tallies. Sean Donnelly provided the home team with the chance to win, stopping 35 shots and picking up a second star nod.
- A 36-save effort by netminder Andrew Walsh and three goals from veteran Zac Rasmussen propelled the Prince George Spruce Kings to a 5-2 home ice win over the Nanaimo Clippers. Rasmussen and Sam Muchalla each finished the night with four points, including four combined in a three-goal third period, while Kyle Kramer and Brayden Jaw replied for the visitors.
- The Vernon Vipers rode four first-period goals to a 7-3 road win over the Centennials in Merritt. Connor Jones put the BCHL leaders on the board just 10 seconds in, while first star Rob Short and Cory Kane each ended the evening with three points. Blake Voth was busy in net for the Vipers, who were outshot by a margin of 40-28.
